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  ZigAirMeet 2023 at Mollis
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Text:

Chakrit Samithinan

Pictures:

Chakrit Samithinan & Saichol Krai-amat)


 

 

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

   

The Zigermeet as it was known until this year usually took place every three years. However due to the Covid pandemic, it took a year longer than usual to witness an airshow in the unique location of Mollis. A completely new crew undertook the organization of this year’s airshow and it was feared that this might reflect negatively on the smooth operation of the airshow. However, this was not the case and the organizers, assisted by over 700 unpaid helpers, did a good job in staging this 2-day event (from 18th to 19th August) in the mountain valley of Glarus. They were blessed by marvelous weather on both days but temperatures were extremely high which might have had some effect on the somewhat disappointing number of spectators on both Friday and Saturday. The organizers probably expected around 40’000 visitors but as it turned out, the number of spectators were closer to 25’000 on both days combined. Also, the relatively high prices for entry tickets and parking may have deterred a sizeable number of people from visiting the event. Same as 4 years ago, the organizers offered a VIP facility but this year, they opted for a two storey tent with a balcony on the second floor which was well frequented in spite of the somewhat excessive price tag of CHF 350.- per person per day. In spite of the high price, the VIP area was nearly sold out on both days and certainly contributed a fair share of income to the organizers. The VIP balcony on the second floor looked like an ideal place for photographers but it was so heavily overcrowded that it turned out to be a bad place after all. The organizers were clearly disappointed by the relatively low number of spectators over the 2 day period. Nevertheless, there were plenty of food and drink stalls and toilets were available in great numbers so visitors were cared for very well.

   
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
   

(Picture courtesy Saichol Krai-amat)

(Picture courtesy Saichol Krai-amat)

(Picture courtesy Saichol Krai-amat)

(Picture courtesy Saichol Krai-amat)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
   

During the run-up to the meeting, the organizers tried everything to engage top-class performers for this year’s show. Many Swiss hoped to see the Italian F-35, the next fighter jet for the Swiss Air Force, but since the organizers were not a national military unit, the request for a demo in Mollis could not be entertained. Unfortunately, the earlier announced C-17 transporter of the Royal Air Force was a late absentee (the Falcons parachute team arrived with a Do-28 instead) but a number of top attractions showed up in Mollis. The fact that not only the Eurofighter of the Bavarian Tigers but also the Rafale Display team (Dassault Rafale C) and the Belgian F-16 Viper team Steven De Vries were present is evidence of the successful negotiations by the organizers. As expected, the much anticipated Patrouille Suisse with their 6 Northrop F-5E Tiger II aircrafts and the Swiss FA-18 Demo Team were also participating in the event. While the Eurofighter and the Rafale were stationed in Mollis, the Belgian F-16, the FA-18 and the Patrouille Suisse were stationed in Duebendorf during the event.

   
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
   
General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
   

Other participants in the flying program included the Blanix Team from Austria, the Flying Bulls Aerobatic Team from the Czech Republic, the Classic Formation with DC-3 and 3x Beechcraft Model 18 from Switzerland, the Team Niebergall from Germany with 2x SIAI Marchetti SF-260, the Flying Bulls with Lockheed P-38 Lightning, Chance Vought F4U- Corsair and North American B-25J Mitchell from Salzburg, the North American OV-10B Bronco from France, the North American P-51D Mustang from Switzerland, the Scale Wings SW-51 Mustang( built at 2/3 from the original size) from Switzerland, the Supermarine LF Mk.Vb Spitfire from Great Britain, the Morane-Saulnier D-3081 Morane in the colors of the Swiss Air Force, the PC-7 Subito Team (3x PC-7) from Switzerland, the Pitts S-1S Special of Nils Hagander, the RAF Falcons Parachute Team from Great Britain, the Swiss Parawings Team with 3x Pilatus PC-6 of the Swiss Air Force, a Junkers F-13 from Switzerland, an Airbus Helicopter Tiger UHT from the German Air Force, a PZL W-3A Sokol Helicopter from the Czech Air Force, a Lockheed Model 12 Electra with Pilatus P-3-05 from FMA Altenrhein, a Boeing E75 Stearman from FMA Altenrhein, a Dornier Do-27H2 and Pilatus P-3-05 from FMA Altenrhein, a Stinson L-5 from Switzerland, the Swiss Paragliding School Team of Robair and last but not least the flying geese with Christian Moullec from France. All in all a busy schedule the timing of which remained unchanged on both days. This meant that three of the highlights, i.e. F-16 Viper Display, Rafale Demo Team and the Patrouille Suisse were always scheduled towards the end of the day when conditions for photography were becoming quite bad due to the necessity to shoot against the bright sun.

   
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

(Picture courtesy Saichol Krai-amat)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) Dornier Do-28 (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) RAF Falcons Parachute (Picture courtesy Saichol Krai-amat)
   
Dassault Rafdale D (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) Dassault Rafdale D (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

Dassault Rafdale D (Picture courtesy Saichol Krai-amat)

Dassault Rafdale C (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) Dassault Rafdale C (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
   
Dassault Rafdale C (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) Dassault Rafdale C (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) Dassault Rafdale C (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

Dassault Rafdale C (Picture courtesy Saichol Krai-amat)

Dassault Rafdale C (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
   

Boeing E75 Stearman(Picture courtesy Saichol Krai-amat)

Classic Formation with DC-3 and 3x Beechcraft Model 18 (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

Team Niebergall SIAI Marchetti SF-260 (Picture courtesy Saichol Krai-amat)

Morane-Saulnier D-3081 Morane and Stinson L-5 (Picture courtesy Saichol Krai-amat)

Flying Bulls  Xtreme Air XA 42 (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

   

Highlights were without doubt the four fast jet displays. The Swiss F/A-18C only displayed on the Friday due to mechanical problems on Saturday, experienced on the way from Dübendorf to Mollis. While this defect made it impossible for him to do anything else than two fly-bys, the other three fast jets gave very impressive demonstrations. Unlike in previous Zigermeets, the Eurofighter demo by a pilot from the Bavarian Tigers was absolutely outstanding. He showed a really spirited performance which was at least as impressive as the display of the Rafale Demo Team who however never disappoints. The big surprise performer was the Belgian Air Force F-16 Viper Team with Senior Captain Steven “Vrieske” De Vries, the most accomplished F-16 pilot in the whole of Europe. He moved his aircraft around the mountains and vertical cliffs as if he never did anything else in his life. He was the one flying closest to the steep mountain cliffs and his program was, in the writer’s opinion, unequalled by any other participant.

   

Pilatus P-3 (Picture courtesy Saichol Krai-amat)

Mc Donnell Douglas F-18C Hornet (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) Mc Donnell Douglas F-18C Hornet (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) Mc Donnell Douglas F-18C Hornet (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) Mc Donnell Douglas F-18C Hornet (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
   
Mc Donnell Douglas F-18C Hornet (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) Mc Donnell Douglas F-18C Hornet (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

Mc Donnell Douglas F-18C Hornet (Picture courtesy Saichol Krai-amat)

Mc Donnell Douglas F-18C Hornet (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) Mc Donnell Douglas F-18C Hornet and North American, OV-10C Bronco (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
   
Mc Donnell Douglas F-18C Hornet and North American, OV-10C Bronco  (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) North American, OV-10C Bronco  (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) North American, OV-10C Bronco  (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) PZL W-3A Sokol (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) PZL W-3A Sokol  (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
   

Special mention deserve also the Flying Bulls in their four Xtreme Air XA 42 who time and again show aerobatics of the absolutely highest order, often not sufficiently appreciated by the public. Not to forget also the Patrouille Suisse who are clearly the favorites among all participants among the Swiss spectators. Unfortunately, there were only 5 aircrafts ready for the display on Friday due to mechanical problems with the leader’s aircraft and with the spare aircraft but on Saturday, the full team was again present.

After the somewhat disappointing number of spectators at the 2023 ZigAirMeet, the organizers will need to evaluate the financial situation before deciding whether there will be another ZigAirMeet in 2026.

   
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) Rimowa Junkers F13 (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

Rimowa Junkers F13 (Picture courtesy Saichol Krai-amat)

Supermarine LF Mk.Vb Spitfire (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

Pitts S-1S Special of Nils Hagander (Picture courtesy Saichol Krai-amat)

   
Flying Bulls Vought F4U- Corsair (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) Flying Bulls Lockheed P-38 Lightning, (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)

Flying Bulls (Picture courtesy Saichol Krai-amat)

Christian Moullec (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) Christian Moullec (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
   

Dornier Do-27H2 (Picture courtesy Saichol Krai-amat)

(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan) Patroullie Suisse (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder) Patroullie Suisse (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder) Blanix Team from Austria, (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
             

A big thank you to Walter Hodel, the chief of the press section, who did an excellent job in keeping the press representatives informed before and during the meeting.


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last update 23. September 2023

Written 21. September 2023

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